Starting IGP for the first time.

I've never done any type of competitive dog sport in my life. I've been researching and watching IGP for the last year or so. After a lot of searching I've found a club nearby. Apparently the head trainer/owner/operator is well known in that world and by all accounts is a good dude.

We have an evaluation on December 30th.

My short term goals are to get a BH and an IGP 1. I know my dog is up for it, I'm the limiting factor. It's going to be up to me to get him there.

Anyway, I'm assuming any money I have left will be gone once I get started with this.

Super exciting! Sounds like a awesome way to close out the year! Good luck to you both and can't wait to hear about it! I know bomber is going to crush it!

Can't wait until I feel ready to take the first real steps in IGP, Ive still been mostly taking it slow and just learning from people at my club and trying to really get the foundations down for Maliketh, but it's definitely been a lot slower process with him being a rescue, but the process should really ready me for training my future pups.

Excited to hear about your experience!

MalikethGSD said:

Super exciting! Sounds like a awesome way to close out the year! Good luck to you both and can't wait to hear about it! I know bomber is going to crush it!

Can't wait until I feel ready to take the first real steps in IGP, Ive still been mostly taking it slow and just learning from people at my club and trying to really get the foundations down for Maliketh, but it's definitely been a lot slower process with him being a rescue, but the process should really ready me for training my future pups.

Excited to hear about your experience!

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There's a lot I want to do going into the new year with my dog. I want to get the misses more involved with his handling and training as I don't like his behavior with her when I'm not around.

The IGP thing is going to be a big deal for me and him. I know he would be a superstar in the hands of a pro. I'm going to be the deciding factor in how well we do, I'm going to have to step my game up.

He is going to absolutely kill it in protection. He really wants to do that type of work so that's going to be super fun.

Sounds exciting Bitz!

Is the evaluation for joining the club? Curious to know what they expect to see from you and Bomber.

Andre said:

Sounds exciting Bitz!

Is the evaluation for joining the club? Curious to know what they expect to see from you and Bomber.

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The woman on the phone went over it a bit.

They want to see his basic obedience, how he is with strangers when I leave the room, how he works around other dogs, if he will bark on command and if he outs. The last two aren't necessities but they want to check him out for those anyway.

Also, she pressed me on any behavior issues that may be present. She said they won't push dogs into protection training if they're not stable.

Bomber will excell at all of it. I'm only concerned with the leash "hand off" (leaving him with a stranger) but I'm sure he won't be so upset that it's a deal breaker.

I'm really looking forward to it.

MyDogBitz said:

The woman on the phone went over it a bit.

They want to see his basic obedience, how he is with strangers when I leave the room, how he works around other dogs, if he will bark on command and if he outs. The last two aren't necessities but they want to check him out for those anyway.

Also, she pressed me on any behavior issues that may be present. She said they won't push dogs into protection training if they're not stable.

Bomber will excell at all of it. I'm only concerned with the leash "hand off" (leaving him with a stranger) but I'm sure he won't be so upset that it's a deal breaker.

I'm really looking forward to it.

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Sounds like Bomber already has all of that. Super exciting for you both!

It's good to hear that the club is very focused on training/having stable dogs. Good ethics has always been a big thing for me personally. Looking forward to hearing more!

Andre said:

Sounds like Bomber already has all of that. Super exciting for you both!

It's good to hear that the club is very focused on training/having stable dogs. Good ethics has always been a big thing for me personally. Looking forward to hearing more!

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Definitely. I'm looking forward to it.

Hoping all went well for the IGP evaluation today.

Andre said:

Hoping all went well for the IGP evaluation today.

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There some behavior stuff they want to address before we get started. Basically, getting my dog to switch from "on" to "off" needs work. His arousal is just too high once he's fired up and he takes to long to downshift.

They want the dog to be able to turn on and off instantly. Which I totally understand and I'm not to surprised that is the direction they want to go.

Honestly, this will be helpful so I'm looking forward to getting started because Bomber is all gas and no brakes. This has intensified over the last month or so. He's really coming on strong as he matures. This dog is definitely the upper level of drive I would ever want as a house pet.

The brake pedal being reinforced will be extremely beneficial to my dogs behavior overall so it's a good thing and I'm always happy to work with people more experienced then myself.

MyDogBitz said:

There some behavior stuff they want to address before we get started. Basically, getting my dog to switch from "on" to "off" needs work. His arousal is just too high once he's fired up and he takes to long to downshift.

They want the dog to be able to turn on and off instantly. Which I totally understand and I'm not to surprised that is the direction they want to go.

Honestly, this will be helpful so I'm looking forward to getting started because Bomber is all gas and no brakes. This has intensified over the last month or so. He's really coming on strong as he matures. This dog is definitely the upper level of drive I would ever want as a house pet.

The brake pedal being reinforced will be extremely beneficial to my dogs behavior overall so it's a good thing and I'm always happy to work with people more experienced then myself.

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Happy to get an update!

Honestly, "all gas no brakes" seems like a good problem to have though lol. Getting told you need to work on capping is basically confirmation that Bomber is a powerhouse! It's hard to teach that kind of drive, but you can definitely teach the control.

Based on your previous post about the huge improvements you were already seeing with his off switch, I have a feeling it’s going to be a total transformation in no time!

I am curious though, is the club going to actively help you train that off and on switch during sessions, or do they want you to get it dialed in on your own and then re-evaluate later?

Also, I’m assuming the leash hand-off went good? I know that was a big worry of yours, and since you didn't mention it, I take it that it went smoothly which is awesome to hear!

The first step is the biggest step, so you are already on the path to awesomeness

We never got to the leash hand off. LOL. The director looks EXACTLY like the guy Bomber does bite work with and he was FIRED UP.

I'm going to work with the director of the club directly. He wants my wife and kid involved too. He was very big on stability.

MyDogBitz said:

There some behavior stuff they want to address before we get started. Basically, getting my dog to switch from "on" to "off" needs work. His arousal is just too high once he's fired up and he takes to long to downshift.

They want the dog to be able to turn on and off instantly. Which I totally understand and I'm not to surprised that is the direction they want to go.

Honestly, this will be helpful so I'm looking forward to getting started because Bomber is all gas and no brakes. This has intensified over the last month or so. He's really coming on strong as he matures. This dog is definitely the upper level of drive I would ever want as a house pet.

The brake pedal being reinforced will be extremely beneficial to my dogs behavior overall so it's a good thing and I'm always happy to work with people more experienced then myself.

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Sounds like what the club wants from you, you've already started working on too, like settling/off switch.

Thanks for sharing with us Bitz.

MyDogBitz said:

We never got to the leash hand off. LOL. The director looks EXACTLY like the guy Bomber does bite work with and he was FIRED UP.

I'm going to work with the director of the club directly. He wants my wife and kid involved too. He was very big on stability.

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Was curious about what they'd recommend. Glad to hear that the director of the club will be working with you and the fam, that's great. Is there a specific reason why he's interested in bringing your wife and kid with you for the training?

Andre said:

Sounds like what the club wants from you, you've already started working on too, like settling/off switch.

Thanks for sharing with us Bitz.

Was curious about what they'd recommend. Glad to hear that the director of the club will be working with you and the fam, that's great. Is there a specific reason why he's interested in bringing your wife and kid with you for the training?

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Because he's growled at my wife several times over the last few weeks. I explained this when they questioned me on behavior issues. I believe in full transparency, I'm an open book (as I'm sure you noticed) Each instance happened when I was out of the house. Bomber's coming into the age where he's testing his boundaries and pecking order. Growling is serious. So, the director was very concerned about that, as I am as well.

MyDogBitz said:

Because he's growled at my wife several times over the last few weeks. I explained this when they questioned me on behavior issues. I believe in full transparency, I'm an open book (as I'm sure you noticed) Each instance happened when I was out of the house. Bomber's coming into the age where he's testing his boundaries and pecking order. Growling is serious. So, the director was very concerned about that, as I am as well.

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I really respect you being open about this and taking it seriously. That kind of honesty and willingness to get another set of eyes on things says a lot about you as a handler.

Getting support early and being proactive is always the right move. It’s going to be exciting to watch you and Bomber continue to level up this year with a clear plan and guidance in place. Better to address things head-on and build a solid foundation than ignore early signals. You’re doing right by him.